Method of and means for stuffing dolls



(No Model.)

W. FLECHTER.

'METHOD 0F AND' MEANSy FOR STUFFING DOLLS.

110.371.751. Patented' 001. 18, 1887.

' me/nto@ @Umm/1013@ N. PETERS. Phummhngmpner. washing. n.12.

Nrrnn STATES WOLF. FLEOHTER, OF COVINGTON, KENTUCKY.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR STUFFING DOLLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 371,751, dated October 18, 1887.

Application tiled July 14, 1887. Serial No. 244,295. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Beitknown that I, WOLF. FLECHTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Covington, -in the county of Kenton and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Methods of and Means for Stuffing Dolls, of which the following is a specifica tion.

Myinvention relates to a method ofand means for stuffing dolls, and has special reference to iilling the body and members ofthe doll with iieecy or brous material--such as cottonwool, hair-filaments, and the like-all as hereinafter described, illustrated in the drawings, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters or reference point out similar parts. on each figure, Figure l represents the` method of stuffing a doll-form according tomy invention, the devices employed being shown partly in elevation and partly in section. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1 with the form removed. Fig. 3 is a View ot a modiiied locking device for the binding-ring.

In describing my invention I shall employ vthe' word form as meaning and including the trunk, legs, arms, and all members of the doll made hollow, and adapted, when stuffed, to be extended to the suitable configuration which is assured by the shape of the several blanks of textile fabric which, when sewed together, constitute the doll-casing.

In order to fully explain my invention and the manner of practicing the same, I will first `describe the ordinary manner of stuttin g forms prior to my improvement, and then point out the advantages secured by my improvements.

Prior to my invention it has been the prac tice for the operator to hold the empty form in one hand, then to insert in the openings thereof a funnel-shaped device, then to pick up with one hand from time to time a quantity of the stufling material, and then to ram down said substance with a rod or plunger, repeating the several steps until the form is shaped. Intermediately the rod is forced within the form by pressure against the operators body. As most operators are girls and young women, the manipulation in this manner is obviously objectionable. In ramming ward and the chest becomes the fulcrum. The

stufling material contains dust, bers, and

divers substances light in weight, that are ex-f pelled outwardly, and there is in consequence an ever-present cloud of laments charged with pigments, bers, dust, and deleterious floating particles, which are drawn into the mouth and nostrils. The resulting injury .to health is serious and often irremediable.

I will observe that it requires considerable force to pack the stuffing within the form. The employment of both hands for this purpose is very desirable. A sitting position, whereby one hand has to be employed holding the form, is therefore objectionable. It will, moreover, be understood that the old process is slow and tedious. For example: First, the empty form is grasped in one hand. Then the funnel is introduced into the open end of the form. Then a quantity of stuiiing material is picked up and loosely dropped into the funnel. Then the plunging-stick is picked up and the mass rammed down, and so on alternately are these slow and tedious steps repeated. I will observe that when the material employed for stuting is grasped in the hand portions thereof frequently remain sticking to the skin, and in many cases incurable cutaneous diseases are thereby acquired. It is bythe old process diiiicult to keep the mass from becoming lumpy. Portions will be packed hard and dense, while other parts will be loose and attenuated; and eX perience has demonstrated that the utmost skill and expertness are required to insure accept able work; but before the operator becomes accustomed to the work, in most cases, further employment is declined on account of injury to health, as heretofore set forth. To overcome these objections and to provide an easy, expeditious, and inexpensive method of stuffing forms has been the object of my invention.

To the accomplishment of my purpose my invention consists in devices whereby the operator can, while in a standing position, fill the form without handling any of the stuft'- ing material. The tool I have provided for this purpose is adapted to grasp a given quam tity of the stuffing, insert it within the form,

and press it into position vertically and laterally at one operation.

In the drawings, A is the form, composed of textile material; B, a table adapted to be rmly attached to any suitable support. (Not shown in the drawings.) Said table is supplied with one or more openings, b. To' said opening is rigidly attached a lining or tube, b', Bush with the bottom of the table, but nprising above the upper surface thereof, forming an upwardly-extending collar or ring, as plainly shown in Fig. `1.

C is abinding-'ring having an upper turnedover edge, forming aperipheral bead, o', to impart rigidity thereto. Said ring at its lower part is preferably supplied with one or more outwardly-extending lugs, C', cut away at one the stuffing.

side to form a bayonetslot, c2, for a purpose presently set forth.

Upon the upper. surface of the table are studs or screws b3, with which the bayonet-slots mesh, and, as will be readily understood, I thereby provide means for locking and unlocking the binding-ring. Fig. 3 shows a modified form for holding down the bindingring vertically, consisting of swinging braces c, hooked to staples c5, attached to the table B. These braces can be employed separately or in conjunction with the bayonet-slot locking device heretofore described.

D is a combined grasping and ramming tool in the form of a pair of tongs, which during the stuffing process` is held in one hand. When considerable force is required, the other hand can also be brought to overlap the handles, and both hands bevemployed to ram down (See dotted lines, Fig. 1.)

In carrying out my process for stuffing the form the free end thereof is passed through the opening b., inside the lining b, and returned over its upper edge outwardly, a portion of said form passing downwardly outside of the upper extension of said lining. The bindingring is then passed over the overlapping portion of the form, whereby it is firmly held by said ring and the inner concentric extension of the lining b. The ring C is then locked rmlyin position, as before described, and the device is ready for the stuffing process. With serted within the hollow form A and the ma- Y terial is deposited in proper position, (not loosely dropped therein.) The process of ramming is thereby measurably reduced. The operation is repeated until the form has assumed itsproper configuration.

When the packing is not completely accomplished, the blades d d can be employed to ram the substance vertically, or by extension of said blades, which are pivoted together, to press it laterally. If the force of one hand is insufficient, both can be employed. (See dotted lines, Fig. l.)

From the foregoing description, in connection with the drawings, my invention and the manner of practicing thel same will be fully understood by all skilled in the arts to which it is allied.

Having now fully described my invention, what l claim, and desire to secure by Letters 1. In a device for stufing dolls, the table B, having opening b, provided with permanently- Vattached lining-ring b', extending above the substance, then introducing said grasped material direct into its proper place within the form, and then, without withdrawing said tongs, firmly compressing said stuffing material vertically and laterally by action of said tongs, substantially as described.

VOLF. FLECHTER.

Witnesses:

W. H. GLoRE, F. SHERIDAN. 

